Review
Introduction
The Sebring is Chrysler’s offering in the highly competitive mid-size-sedan segment, a category dominated by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The majority of Sebrings sold are LX models powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 173 horsepower mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The more upscale Touring model is powered by the same engine, with an available 189-hp, 2.7-liter V-6 engine. The top-of-the-line Limited has a standard four-cylinder engine, with an optional 235-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, as well as available all-wheel drive.
Chrysler offers a convertible version of the Sebring, which is one of the bestselling four-place open-top cars in the United States, trailing only the Ford Mustang convertible. The car has three power-roof options: a vinyl top comes on the base car, and a cloth roof is on the Touring and Limited models, with the option of a retractable metal hardtop. The LX model has a four-cylinder engine, the Touring gets the 2.7-liter V-6, and the Limited has a standard 3.5-liter V-6.
Verdict
The base Sebring is a good value and has a spacious interior. As you move up the trim levels, it can become quite luxurious with some unusual features such as a heated and cooled cup holder, LED interior lighting, and remote start. Curtain airbags are standard across the board.
However, the Sebring is one of the least appealing cars in its class, finishing last in a recent Car and Driver comparison test of four-cylinder mid-size sedans. The engines are not especially refined, the handling and the ride are mediocre, and the interior quality is substandard. It doesn’t even look that good, which is disappointing given that Chrysler used to have a reputation for excellent styling, not to mention the Sebring’s handsome predecessor.
The convertible is roomy, too, but is not as good as its competitors. It too finished last in a recent comparison test, being topped by two other domestic convertibles: a Ford Mustang and a Pontiac G6. The Sebring’s folding hardtop is a nice feature and doesn’t impinge on trunk space any more than do the vinyl and cloth options (although you could make the point that soft roofs should take up less space than a hard top).
Click here to read our full review of the Chrysler Sebring.
Click here to read our full review of the Chrysler Sebring convertible.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Chrysler Sebring.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Chrysler Sebring convertible.
What’s New for 2008
The convertible version of this latest Sebring was introduced as a 2008 model, along with the all-wheel-drive version of the Limited sedan. The base Sebring sedan is now called the LX; an AM/FM stereo with a six-CD changer is now standard along with Sirius satellite radio; and the 2.4-liter model is now classified as a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) in eight states. (Although we have to ask: How can anything be “partially zero”?)
